Is it true?

[IvanKaramozov]

I don’t have any male Mulsim relatives, nobody from whom to ask permission. If I were married, I would give my husband the courtesy of telling him where I’m going… lol.

As far as going for Mecca, if I were to never get married and never had a “mahram” who could take me, then I would have the option, according to many scholars to go with a group of women.

As it is, I don’t ask anyone’s permission and I go out by myself by for perfectly benign reasons like… going to the mosque, work, school, grocery store, my parents’, etc.

I was under the impression that the Saudi government required a male relative to give a woman permission to make the pilgirmag to Mecca, which resides within their land land, not that it is something contained in Islam itself, but a policy of the Saudi government

 

[Sister_Amy]

I was under the impression that the Saudi government required a male relative to give a woman permission to make the pilgirmag to Mecca, which resides within their land land, not that it is something contained in Islam itself, but a policy of the Saudi government

Yeah, you’re right. In order to get a hajj visa (from the Saudi government) they say the woman has to have a male relative coming with–that’s what I’ve found on my own. But people go in groups on hajj and women go without a mahram because they’re in a group. I don’t know how exactly, but I know it happens.

 

[IvanKaramozov]

Yeah, you’re right. In order to get a hajj visa (from the Saudi government) they say the woman has to have a male relative coming with–that’s what I’ve found on my own. But people go in groups on hajj and women go without a mahram because they’re in a group. I don’t know how exactly, but I know it happens.

fair enough

 

[agangbern]

Many centuries ago, when Catholics used to kill others for not being Catholic, it too was the biggest and fastest growing religion.

“Catholics kill others for not being Catholic”? That is again another product of imagination. There is no truth to it. For an individual who does so is certainly not a Catholic, the act being against Catholic teachings.

 

[AgnosTheist]

Your brother in law is wrong and the U.S is not a ‘‘Christian country’’

It is, on the basis of “majority”. Like Turkey is a Muslim country even though it is a democracy.

 

[justinthemartyr]

“Catholics kill others for not being Catholic”? That is again another product of imagination. There is no truth to it. For an individual who does so is certainly not a Catholic, the act being against Catholic teachings.

True, person who kills another for not being catholic, would not be a catholic in good standing.

 

[hala230]

Muslims arrived early in North America, the first mosque being built in North Dakota in the 1920’s.* By the eighteenth century there were many Muslims in North America. Great numbers of born Americans have entered the fold of Islam. They are from different classes; the rich, the poor, the educated and the illiterate.* Today, there are over 7 millions Muslims in the United States1 and some accounts have Islam as the second largest religion in the United States, surpassing even Judaism in its numbers.

Anyway, we cannot steer people’s personal faith. Islam is now a part of western culture, wheither we like it or not. It’s not just for people in prison, or rock stars looking for a new thing. Some people just associate with Islam more than Christianity. That does for the other side of things too - 70% or so of Westerns are Christians, and although some don’t like that, it’s just the way it is. It’s a fact, it can’t be changed, and those people are entitled to follow their faith. Acts in the name of christianity have been responsible for some pretty fu***d up consequences in the last 100 years.

www.islam-guide.com
Or:
whyislam.org/discoverwhy.htm
Or:
nytimes.com/2001/10/22/national/22CONV.html

www.islam-guide.com

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

We’ve dealt with the consequences of those acts done in the name of Christianity in the last 100 years. The problem is, we don’t know how to deal with the consequences of those acts done in the name of Islam over the last generation or so.

 

[LaMar]

Muslims arrived early in North America, the first mosque being built in North Dakota in the 1920’s.* By the eighteenth century there were many Muslims in North America. Great numbers of born Americans have entered the fold of Islam. They are from different classes; the rich, the poor, the educated and the illiterate.* Today, there are over 7 millions Muslims in the United States1 and some accounts have Islam as the second largest religion in the United States, surpassing even Judaism in its numbers.

www.islam-guide.com
Or:
whyislam.org/discoverwhy.htm
Or:
nytimes.com/2001/10/22/national/22CONV.html

www.islam-guide.com

I asked a sociology buddy of mine about this, and his answer surprised me.

Within 50 years, the experts project that Europe will be more-or-less Islamic.

By 2060, North America will have two large religious groups. In the English speaking society, there will probably be two huge minorities. One will be Atheists/Agnostics, and the other will be an Evangelical Protestant culture.

In French Canada and Mexico, the Catholic Church will probably hang on, but not by much. Mexico is becoming Protestant and Quebec/NB is going to go Atheist pretty quickly.

The headquarters of the Catholic church might move, from Italy (which will likely become part of the Islamic world) to someplace in Central America.

Within 100 years, Catholicism and Mormonism will have disappeared.

There’s a guy at SUNY Stonybrook named David Gilmore. He’s an anthropologist. I guess he’s the guy who writes papers that regular people can understand which explain this and the reasons why.

The writing is on the wall though.
religions.pewforum.org/affiliations
Catholicism has been the biggest loser, of all religions, within the last 50 years, by a huge margin. This will continue exponentially.

I asked him specifically about Islam. North America will probably never have a large Muslim population, for various reasons, but it will grow into a significant minority. Buddhism seems to be growing here even faster.

 

[rtconstant]

Actually, I’m not sure that Islam is still the fastest growing. It was there for awhile for sure. However, these days they are losing millions each year in Africa. I think the growth spurt of the 80’s and 90’s had less to do with conversions and more to do with the rapidly dropping population growth of those who identify themselves as Christian.

As to the initial spread of Islam it was mostly due to pressure of force from the expanding armies and Imperialistic governments of the Arabs, Mors and Turks. From the beginning this was acceptable. The forces of Medina conquered and converted Mecca for the rejection of the Mohammed and of course economic prosperity.

Of course the spread of the Muslim empires had more to do with the traditional imperialistic groups. Money, power and stealing other peoples land. A time honored process.

 

[hala230]

Some post shows a complete and dangerous lack of comprehension. David Karesh was a Christian, shall we ban all Christian momentous?

When you compare all of Islam to these terrorists, you essentially say every Sunday clothed bible reading Christian is a Branch Dividian fundamentalist. The linking of such actions to Islam or the Qur’an is incorrect. Rather, such inhumane actions clearly contradict the teachings of Islam - just as the bombing at Oklahoma City by Timothy McVeigh and the killings that occurred at Abraham Mosque, Hebron - Philistine by Dr. Baruch Goldstein clearly contradict the teachings of Christianity and Judaism, respectively.

Going back to subject, From what I’ve read from different people who have converted to Islam, there are a few main reasons for most conversions:

1. Muslims and Christians agree that God is self-existent. This means that He does not derive his existence from anyone. Also they believe in Jesus, love him, and honor him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.

The Quran teach that Jesus is prophet or messenger from Allah and not a God so Quran denies the divinity of Jesus. The Qur’an says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by God’s leave, and that he raised the dead by God’s leave.

1. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don’t in the USA. Islam is something that can’t be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur’an. Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious. Some people also studied Buddhism, flirted with Roman Catholicism or spent time with Quakers, but ultimately found them lacking.
2. For women, it is a big and welcome change from the “in your face” sexuality of western culture. Women are not required by the Qur’an to veil. They are required to dress modestly and it is recommended that they cover their hair. However, most do veil and some go farther with niquab (the face screen) or other traditional clothes. Women dressed like this consider themselves marked as religious women, not easy dates. They don’t get hit on. No one gawks at their bodies. They are clearly off limits sexually and many that I personally know say it is liberating not to have to conform to western standards of sexy dress, makeup and spending so much time and money on appearance. You buy a five-dollar hijab, put your hair in a ponytail and cover, wear long skirt and a tunic shirt -you’re set.
3. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture. Islam on the other hand is more rigid and does not as a whole allow much for modern changes and the whims of society. Many like it because they feel other religions have loose standards.

A person like me who is unfamiliar with Islamic teachings might be surprised to hear that Islam is not a “religion” in the narrow sense used by secular humanists and does not rely upon blind faith to make its case, but rather, encourages to use minds for example, the Qur’an invites to ponder upon the wonders of creation, and challenges with intellectual arguments. Further study of the Qur’an demonstrates that sound reasoning and scientific knowledge confirm rather than contradict authentic revelation and its ability to satisfy the intellect whilst bringing peace to the soul. Also Islam deals with every aspect of life, spiritual and physical; its jurisprudence is based on a creed, instruction on worship, and ordinances regarding social, economic, and political aspects.

That’s what I got from Islam-online & Islam way women’s board and a few other friends of mine. Stats taken by many college groups say that women convert 4 times more often then men.

 

[LDNCatholic]

Going back to subject, From what I’ve read from different people who have converted to Islam, there are a few main reasons for most conversions:

I think that the whole ‘‘Islam is the fastest growing’’ arguement has been blown out of the water time and again. Even if it hasn’t, fastest growing does not indicate truth.

1. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don’t in the USA. Islam is something that can’t be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur’an. Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious. Some people also studied Buddhism, flirted with Roman Catholicism or spent time with Quakers, but ultimately found them lacking.

You may be surprised to learn that Christianity is not concentrated in the U.S, watch the faith with which Catholics from Africa, India, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Middle East pray, how devoted they are before dismissing Christianity as ‘‘just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label’’.

1. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture. Islam on the other hand is more rigid and does not as a whole allow much for modern changes and the whims of society. Many like it because they feel other religions have loose standards.

Not to mention Islam is exotic and exciting for them. Christian morals, those found in the old Churches (Catholic, Orthodox of both kinds and Assyrian Church of the East) have not changed, have not wavered, since the time of Christ. The people decided to do whatever pleased them.

Incidentally (and if you look at my other posts you’ll see I do a great deal defending Muslims against prejudiced attacks so don’t take this as an attack) another reason Islam is the ‘‘fastest growing’’ is possibly because many Islamic nations murder those who try to leave. In other cases (such as that of the Copts in Egypt) the authorities refuse to recognise the conversion, so for surveys etc, they are Muslim.

 

[agangbern]

Some post shows a complete and dangerous lack of comprehension.

That observation could also fall upon the head of the person who said it.

The Quran teach that Jesus is prophet or messenger from Allah and not a God so Quran denies the divinity of Jesus.

There is no Quran in the Christian teachings; neither is there Mahammed. If they recognize Jesus as a prophet, well and good. It only acknowledges that Jesus really existed. But if the Quran denies the Divinity of Jesus, as so it does, that denial has no weight whatsoever.

1. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label.

That is a proof of what you called “dangerous lack of comprehension”. For by saying that, you are pretending to know the mind and the heart of those who are participating in Sunday morning church activities, that they are simply church visit and a label.

Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.

Feelings oftentimes is not in accordance with reason; and “as if” is a word that does not express a fact.

1. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity.

There is no logical connection between the imagined growth of Islam with "people are not satisfied with Christianity."

A person like me who is unfamiliar with Islamic teachings might be surprised to hear that Islam is not a “religion” in the narrow sense used by secular humanists and does not rely upon blind faith to make its case, but rather, encourages to use minds for example, the Qur’an invites to ponder upon the wonders of creation, and challenges with intellectual arguments.

Really? “encourages to use minds…”? Consider the following comments of yours:

1. “Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.”

Clearly, these converts are simply moved by feelings, not by their minds.

1. “Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity.”

That comment is not a sign of one who is using his mind…

That’s what I got from Islam-online & Islam way women’s board and a few other friends of mine. Stats taken by many college groups say that women convert 4 times more often then men.

So your post is not your personal views but you got them only from Islam-online… Think further about the things you got on-line.

 

[hala230]

You can’t sell this **** to me; we know the truth and your propaganda can be declared somewhere else.

Islam has shown itself to be not only the most widespread religion in the world, but also the most dynamic, attracting converts at a faster rate than at anytime in the last 500 years.

 

[Idontgetit]

“Already more than a billion-people strong, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion.” ABCNEWS, Abcnews.com

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country.” NEWSDAY, March7, 1989, p.4

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States…” NEW YORK TIMES, Feb 21, 1989, p.1

“Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group…” USA TODAY, The population reference bureau, Feb. 17, 1989, p.4A
“Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America.” TIMES MAGAZINE

“Islam continues to grow in America, and no one can doubt that!” CNN, December 15, 1995

“The religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world.” MIKE WALLACE, 60 MINUTES

Libraries have run out of books on Islam and the Middle East… English translations of the Koran head the American best-seller list…

it depends on whom you talk to but Islam is getting better press, they have momentum and they have by far the most important ingredient to spiritual truth, Money. That always talks and walks big. There is developing a cottage industry which is a response to the intrusion by Islam on the western corporate franchise.

 

[Idontgetit]

You can’t sell this **** to me; snip.

I can relate to that.

 

[tomshaikh]

“Already more than a billion-people strong, Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion.” ABCNEWS, Abcnews.com

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the country.” NEWSDAY, March7, 1989, p.4

“Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the United States…” NEW YORK TIMES, Feb 21, 1989, p.1

“Moslems are the world’s fastest-growing group…” USA TODAY, The population reference bureau, Feb. 17, 1989, p.4A
“Islam is the fastest growing religion in North America.” TIMES MAGAZINE

“Islam continues to grow in America, and no one can doubt that!” CNN, December 15, 1995

“The religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world.” MIKE WALLACE, 60 MINUTES

Libraries have run out of books on Islam and the Middle East… English translations of the Koran head the American best-seller list…

---

Thanks For Your Comments. May Allah Bless You

Alhumdullilah, Mashallah, Subhanallah

Here is some good website for Quran Translation

www.quranexplorer.com

 

[Angelos]

The reasons for Islam’s becoming one of the fastest-spreading religions:

1) Islamic theology and religious teachings are not as complex as those of Christianity, its creed being oversimplified and thus easier to comprehend

**2) **Islam is not only a religion, but a strong ideology that strives to establish its political-administrative system in the whole world

3) Islam makes use of being the comparatively new religion in the world to the full extent. The circular reasoning, which Islam endorses as one of the crucial tactics in the defense and promotion of faith, is fed by the assumption that Islam’s advent indicates the incompleteness and corruption of the former religions and their texts.

4) Islam sanctions retaliation and vindictive militancy.

5) Islam promises its believers a garden of roses even in this present life.

**6) **Islam picks up certain tenets from the other Abrahamic religions and asserts to combine them under one religion of perfection.

**7) **Islam replaces secular history with the religious narratives in its scripture.

**8) **Islam first teaches that it is the final religion so as to convince people that the final is always the best.

**9) **Islam pretends to respect members of other religions and be the religion of both tolerance and peace.

10) Islamic creed lacks the notion of mystery.

Peace to all,
Angelos N.B.

 

[katy_kt]

Hi Hala

I usually stay away from debates or being part of any discussion, but I felt the need to reply to this post. I apologize for this post being very long.

1. Islam is a religious lifestyle, not just a quick Sunday morning church visit and a label. Although some Christians do pray before each meal and spend much time with their Bible, etc.many don’t in the USA.

Christianity is too a lifestyle and not a weekly visit to the Church. Do not assume what Christianity teaches by the action of some people in the US. It is unfortunate that they do not make, what they claim to be their religion, part of their life. Also Christians do not only exist in the US, they are in other countries as well.

Islam is something that can’t be shunted into a few spare hours. You pray five times a day. Your dress code is affected; even your food choices are explained in the Qur’an.

Similarly with Christianity; it isn’t something that you use as a form of identification or a label. It is supposed to be part of your life. Christianity is a way of living, how to conduct yourself, how to treat others.

Many converts like it because they feel actively involved and as if they are truly religious.

To feel closer to God, other than saying prayers before meals and reading the bible regularly etc, some people choose to spend some hours a day just meditating and saying prayers or choose to spend time helping the church or volunteer for some community service. Others make sacrifices; give up something they love for God.
Have you read the lives of saints? They were truly religious, and their lives are inspiring.

Believing in the teachings of Christ requires us to stop making everything revolve around ‘me’ and to start making God the center of our lives. All our action and decisions are made keeping in mind the will of God. We try to please him, follow him, show our love to him through our actions- spending time in his presence in prayer, not ignoring him, obeying his commandments, making sacrifices to show our love or being kind to others, and loving them just as he asked us to.

1. For women, it is a big and welcome change from the “in your face” sexuality of western culture. Women are not required by the Qur’an to veil. They are required to dress modestly … No one gawks at their bodies.

In Christianity you are also required to dress modestly. Our bodies are the temple of God, we ought to respect it. You do not need to be a Muslim to wear long skirts and not wear tight clothing. You choose what you want to wear to make you feel comfortable in society.

1. Islam is also growing because many people are not satisfied with Christianity. They feel it is too liberal, too fluid and changes for the culture.

To begin with, they are not satisfied with what they think Christianity is; that it is liberal and fluid. I can’t speak for the other denominations, but Catholicism definitely isn’t liberal and change with culture. This is why we are sometimes label old fashioned or not in step with the times.
The teachings of Christ do not change with time.

Islam… does not rely upon blind faith to make its case, but rather, encourages to use minds

No one should believe ones religion due to blind faith. God has blessed us with a mind and a conscience and we should use both of them. But human reasoning is obviously limited; it is limited by the laws of this world. There will be things about God that we do not understand because he is not limited by the laws of this world, by human understanding, so obviously there is going to be ‘mysteries’, not because God doesn’t want us to know it, but because our human minds are limited.
The various reasons why we believe in our faith, others could consider it to be illogical, circular reasoning etc but we still believe. The very fact that we are Theists, believing in the existence of God is considered illogical to Atheists.
Faith sometimes requires us to believe in the invisible, what others consider illogical. Jesus said to Saint Thomas **Blessed are those who have not seen but yet believe. **

God Bless and again I apologize for the long post

 

[ralphinal]

I find the whole argument intellectually dishonest. In the “Muslim” nations, the choice is become Muslim or die, live Islam and Die. Other faith systems cannot be taught at all. In other words, once we take over, you have no choice. Now, in the West that is not the case. We can discuss that, if you wish, but world-wide, it is a bunch of bunk.

Why do people convert? There is no one single answer. The fact is that many do. I will always beleive that if presented with an option, many Muslims would leave Islam as well.

Europe is losing it’s Christian identity because of low birth rates and immigration, not because Islam is intrinsically better. That is reality. The Muslim population in the US is growing mostly because of imigration as well, though there are a good number of converts. Know what? A change from less than 1% to 2% of the population is a 100% growth. In other words, it does not take much to look impressive.

Mark Twain said it best. “There are three kinds of falsehoods: lies, d*** lies, and statistics.”